Robotics & Automation News

Where Innovation Meets Imagination

David Edwards

Kinova Robotics raises $25 million for expansion plans

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Kinova Robotics, a designer and manufacturer of robotic solutions, has raised additional funds of $25 million for further expansion.

The money came from four major contributors, including lead investor Fonds Manufacturier Québécois; co-investors KTB Network, and Foxconn; and BDC Capital, the investment arm of BDC.

Kinova says 90 per cent of its business is exports, so establishing an office outside its native Canada is a priority.

Kinova CEO Charles Deguire says: “We want our users to achieve the extraordinary with our robots – creating more value for themselves and our society.  [Read more…] about Kinova Robotics raises $25 million for expansion plans

German robotics and automation industry set to break records and grow faster than previously expected

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The German robotics and automation industry is growing at a faster rate than previously forecast, according to the VDMA, and will break records. 

The sector will reach €14 billion ($16.4 billion) annually for the first time, says the VDMA.

The VDMA is the German industrial association, said to be the largest in Europe, with more than 3,200 member companies from the mechanical and plant engineering sector.

The organisation has a section called VDMA Robotics + Automation, a specialist association with more than 270 members, which includes suppliers of components and systems from the areas of robotics, integrated assembly solutions, and industrial image processing.  [Read more…] about German robotics and automation industry set to break records and grow faster than previously expected

Nasa supplier ATI develops new low-cost force-torque sensor

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A company which supplies products to Nasa – among others – has launched a new, “low-cost” force / torque sensor.

ATI Industrial Automation says its Axia 80 provides “high resolution with outstanding overload protection”.

Robert Little, CEO of ATI Industrial Automation, says: “There’s been a movement in the industry to start automating man-made products.

“In order to for them do that, they need robots. In order for those robots to be completely successful, they need force sensing feedback.” [Read more…] about Nasa supplier ATI develops new low-cost force-torque sensor

Nasa astronauts carry out maintenance work on robotic arm on the International Space Station

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Nasa astronauts went on a spacewalk today to replace one of the two Latching End Effectors on the International Space Station’s robot arm, called Canadarm 2. 

The two astronauts were named as Commander Randy Bresnik and Flight Engineer Mark Vande Hei, and the duration of the spacewalk was said to be 55 minutes.

The astronauts also carried out a range of additional maintenance and upgrading tasks, including the removal of the multi-layer insulation from a spare direct current switching unit, and preparing a flex hose rotary coupler for future use.  [Read more…] about Nasa astronauts carry out maintenance work on robotic arm on the International Space Station

Vorwerk’s acquisition of Neato Robotics adds spark to exponentially growing robotic appliance market, says IHS Markit

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Germany-based home appliances manufacturer Vorwerk recently acquired Neato Robotics, a Silicon Valley maker of domestic robots.

Vorwerk is known for its premium products in the household appliances market and Neato Robotics is known for its innovation and technological know-how, mainly in robotic vacuum cleaners.

Vorwerk first invested in Neato Robotics in 2010. Both companies are eager to maximize the exponential growth of the robotic appliance market, individually and collectively, with ‘cross-over’ benefits.  [Read more…] about Vorwerk’s acquisition of Neato Robotics adds spark to exponentially growing robotic appliance market, says IHS Markit

Emerson launches ‘industry’s first’ controller designed for automation versatility and IIoT operations

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Emerson has launched what it claims is the industry’s first controller designed for automation versatility and industrial internet of things-enabled operations.

The Emerson DeltaV PK Controller simplifies capital projects and prepares organisations for the operational benefits of IIoT, says the company.

Emerson says the DeltaV PK Controller makes the advanced automation of its DeltaV distributed control system available to fast-growth industries traditionally less reliant on large-scale automation.  [Read more…] about Emerson launches ‘industry’s first’ controller designed for automation versatility and IIoT operations

NXP launches ‘world’s first’ scalable, single-chip secure vehicle-to-x platform

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NXP Semiconductors, one of the world’s largest suppliers of automotive semiconductor solutions, has has launched its secure next generation RoadLink vehicle-to-everything communications solution.

The new NXP SAF5400 is the “world’s first automotive qualified, high-performance single-chip DSRC modem”, claims the company.

Its “unique scalable architecture”, new security features, and RF CMOS and software defined radio technologies offer original equipment manufacturers with flexible options for cross-regional secure V2X adoption and field upgradeability, says NXP.  [Read more…] about NXP launches ‘world’s first’ scalable, single-chip secure vehicle-to-x platform

Yaskawa Motoman launches new software for robots and programmable logic controllers

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Yaskawa Motoman has launched new software for robots and programmable logic controllers – the computing appliances connected to industrial robots.

The MLX300 software option is the newest generation of integration for Yaskawa robots and PLCs.

The MLX300 enables operators to control and program Yaskawa robots in a standard PLC programming environment, eliminating the need to learn a specific robot programming language, says the company.  [Read more…] about Yaskawa Motoman launches new software for robots and programmable logic controllers

Yaskawa partners with CommScope on advanced manufacturing technology centre in Belgium

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CommScope, a provider of infrastructure solutions for communications networks, has opened a new advanced manufacturing technology centre at its Kessel Lo, Belgium site.

The centre will showcase a newly formed partnership with Yaskawa, one of the world’s largest industrial robot suppliers, to determine the feasibility of adding robot technology and greater automation to manufacturing processes.

The new Advanced Manufacturing Technology centre enables CommScope to develop automated manufacturing competencies and technology in a laboratory setting through cross-functional collaboration and partnerships with universities, knowledge partners and suppliers.  [Read more…] about Yaskawa partners with CommScope on advanced manufacturing technology centre in Belgium

Fujitsu highlights advances in AI, robotics and cloud at Oracle OpenWorld

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Fujitsu is showcasing a number of enterprise innovations at Oracle OpenWorld 2017.

Highlights include an executive solution session with Goro Watanabe, executive vice president, Fujitsu America, on the latest advances in artificial intelligence for business.

Booth visitors can also meet the company’s first commercial robot, which speaks and interacts with people using AI to help it understand human emotions.  [Read more…] about Fujitsu highlights advances in AI, robotics and cloud at Oracle OpenWorld

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